Francis J. Grund (1805-September 29, 1863) was a mathematician who became a political commentator. His death was mentioned in the New York Times, October 2, 1863.
A contemporary of Alexis de Tocqueville, Francis J. Grund wrote in his work The Americans in Their Moral, Social and Political Relations, 1837:
<Although the most perfect tolerance exists with regard to particular creeds, yet it is absolutely necessary that a man should belong to some persuasion of other, lest his fellow-citizens should consider him an outcast from society.
The Jews are tolerated in America with the same liberality as any denomination of Christians; but if a person were to call himself a Deist or an Atheist, it would excite universal execration.
Yet there are religious denominations in the United States whose creeds are very nearly verging on Deism; but taking their arguments from the Bible, and calling themselves followers of Christ, they and their doctrines are tolerated, together with their form of worship.> 1805FG001
<The religious habits of the Americans form not only the basis of their private and public morals, but have become so thoroughly interwoven with their whole course of legislation, that it would be impossible to change them, without affecting the very essence of their government.> 1805FG002
<The Americans look upon religion as a promoter of civil and political liberty; and have, therefore, transferred to it a large portion of the affection which they cherish for the institutions of their country.> 1805FG003
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American Quotations by William J. Federer, 2024, All Rights Reserved, Permission granted to use with acknowledgement.
Endnotes:
1805FG001. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Francis J. Grund, 1837, The Americans in Their Moral, Social and Political Relations, (1837), Vol. I, pp. 281, 292, 294. Anson Phelps Stokes and Leo Pfeffer, Church and State in the United States (NY: Harper and Row, Publishers, 1950, revised one- volume edition, 1964), p. 210.
1805FG002. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Francis J. Grund, The Americans in Their Moral, Social and Political Relations, (1837), Vol. I, pp. 281, 292, 294. Anson Phelps Stokes and Leo Pfeffer, Church and State in the United States (NY: Harper and Row, Publishers, 1950, revised one-volume edition, 1964), p. 210.
1805FG003. William J. Federer, American Quotations (2014). Francis J. Grund, The Americans in Their Moral, Social and Political Relations, (1837), Vol. I, pp. 281, 292, 294. Anson Phelps Stokes and Leo Pfeffer, Church and State in the United States (NY: Harper and Row, Publishers, 1950, revised one-volume edition, 1964), p. 210. Tim LaHaye, Faith of Our Founding Fathers (Brentwood, TN: Wolgemuth & Hyatt, Publishers, Inc., 1987), p. 97. Verna M. Hall, Christian History (San Francisco: Foundation for Christian Education), Vol. I, p. 372.